The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Ball State
Volleyball takes down MAC West leader Ball State, 3-1
November 09 | Women's Volleyball
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AKRON, Ohio – Alex Cocklin issued a match-high 18 kills and Ashley Holder tallied her fifth double-double of the season as Akron dismantled Mid-American Conference West Division leader Ball State, 3-1, Saturday night at James A. Rhodes Arena (25-17, 25-19, 9-25, 26-24).
The result was Akron's first victory over Ball State in exactly five years to the day, since the Zips took down the Cardinals in five sets on Nov. 9, 2008, on the road.
UA picked up its second win in as many outings, improving its record to 8-17 overall and 2-12 in the MAC. BSU dropped to 22-7 and 10-4 in league play.
Ball State entered the match holding opponents to a .153 attack percentage – a mark that led the conference – and the Zips finished the night with a .218 clip, out-hitting the Cardinals for the match.
Holder posted 40 assists and 17 digs, putting Akron's hitters in a good position to score. In addition to Cocklin's 18 kills from the outside, the Zips enjoyed a big night from their middle blockers. Julie Shallman hit an impressive .533 with nine kills and just one error in 15 swings. The freshman also delivered three solo blocks and two assists, contributing to Akron's nine total team blocks.
Alex Wiederholt added eight kills and five block-assists, while Kelsey Wilson chipped in seven kills and four block-assists. Jill Paluch led the Zips from the back row with a team-high 20 digs.
Ball State recorded double-doubles from Alex Fuelling (15 kills, 14 digs) and Jacqui Seidel (20 assists, 11 digs).
The Zips set the tone early in the first set, stringing together several mini 3-0 runs to stay ahead of the Cardinals. A kill from Cocklin and a solo block from Shallman gave Akron a 15-10 advantage and forced Ball State to call its first timeout.
Akron continued to maintain its five-point cushion until back-to-back Ball State kills cut the lead to three at 19-16. UA answered with five-straight points, highlighted by big plays from Shallman and Wiederholt and a service ace from Holder. Shallman put down the final kill at Akron's second look at set point to put Akron ahead 1-0.
UA carried its momentum into the second set, sprinting out to a 4-0 lead on a pair of kills at the hands of Julia Smagacz. The Zips would never trail in the set, stringing together points and making the most of a late 4-0 run to take a 23-16 lead.
A Ball State service error combined with a Wiederholt kill was the formula for victory in the second frame, as the Zips went ahead two sets to none for just the seventh time this season.
After dropping the third set, the Zips found their footing again in the fourth. Akron stopped Ball State in its tracks courtesy of a 9-2 run midway through the period to take the lead with the score at 17-13.
UA scored on five of the next seven plays, including a clutch substitution service ace from Mary Delich coming out of a Ball State timeout, to go ahead 22-15. The Cardinals would not go quietly however, rattling off seven straight points to knot the score at 22-all.
BSU tied it again at 23 and went ahead on set point on a kill from Fuelling, but a Wilson kill gave Akron new life and evened the score at 24.
It was only fitting that Cocklin put away the final two kills for the victory, handing Ball State its second loss in a row.
The Zips continue their homestand next weekend for the final two matches of the regular season. Akron is slated to host Bowling Green on Friday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m., and will take on Miami (Ohio) on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. UA's clash with the RedHawks will also be senior night, as Cocklin, Paluch and Wiederholt will be honored prior to their final match at Rhodes Arena.
